Effects of water stress cycles on turgot maintenance processes in pear leaves (Pyrus communis)

Abstract

Effects of water deficits on leaf turgor maintenance processes were analyzed for pear trees (Pyrus communis L. cv. 'Barlett') grown in 120-liter containers. Four irrigation treatments were applied: a well-watered control treatment, a spring water stress cycle (Sp), a summer water stress cycle (Su), and a spring plus summer water stress cycle (Sp + Su). For the Sp treatment, water application was progressively reduced from 100 to 20% of the control dose over a period of 27 days in spring. For the Su treatment, water application was progressively reduced over 23 days in summer, from 100 to 20% of the control dose. The Sp + Su treatment comprised both the spring and summer drought stress cycles. Pressure-volume (P-V) curves were constructed and stomatal conductances were determined for pear leaves from each treatment during the spring and summer stress cycles. Leaf water potential (Ψ(Π/0)) and relative water content (R0) at the turgor loss point of control leaves tended to decrease from spring to summer. Changes in leaf osmotic water potential at full turgor (Ψ(Π/100)) and in symplast water fraction (R(S)) did not explain the seasonal decrease in (Ψ(Π/0). The water stress treatments had no effect on Ψ(Π/100), but R(S) was reduced by the water stress treatments, particularly during the summer stress cycle of the Su and Sp + Su treatments. The decrease in R(S) was correlated with an increase in the slope of the linear region of the P-V curve. Such a coupled adjustment would lead to increased water uptake capacity of water-stressed trees only under non-turgor conditions. Furthermore, pear leaves did not actively accumulate solutes. We conclude, therefore, that changes in leaf tissue water relations as a result of leaf acclimation to water stress are unlikely to facilitate maintenance of fruit productivity under drought.